HEALTHY FOR YOU, HEALTHY FOR TWO
Program Improves the Health and Self-Esteem of
Local Teen Mothers

Allentown, PA (May 10, 2004) - There are over
6,000 teenage mothers and expectant teenage mothers
in Allentown. Facing issues such as low self-esteem,
lack of an adequate support system and limited
exposure to regular exercise and nutrition programming,
these young women often form poor lifestyle habits.
To combat this trend, Cedar Crest College, through
its Rodale Aquatic Center and the Allen Center
for Nutrition, has developed Healthy for You, Healthy
for Two, a model program of nutrition and aquatic
exercise that benefits disadvantaged, pregnant
and parenting teens in the Lehigh Valley.

Every Monday, a group of students from William
Allen High School is brought to the Rodale Aquatic
Center where they participate in an aqua-aerobics
class especially designed for expectant or new
mothers. Following the exercise, the students participate
in a discussion about nutrition and are served
a healthy snack. The program runs for seven weeks
and repeats in the summer with a new group of students.

"Pregnant youth are an incredibly high-risk
group for obesity and sedentary behavior," says
Jane Ziegler, Director of the Allen Center for
Nutrition. According to the Allentown Health Bureau,
center-city Allentown currently has a higher obesity
rate than the surrounding areas, and a higher obesity
rate than the national average. "The goal
of this program is to instill healthy behaviors
amongst these teens and to encourage them to exercise
and develop healthy eating habits at a young age," says
Ziegler. "Hopefully the young parents will
instill this behavior with their children."

While studies show that, nationally, teen births
are on the decline, Hispanic youths remain at an
increased risk. The percentage of births to mothers
under age 18 in Lehigh County is 4.2 percent among
the general population; that same statistic among
Hispanic teens is 13.5 percent.

As the only women's college in the Lehigh Valley,
Cedar Crest College is committed to reaching out
to women in need. Through Healthy for You, Healthy
for Two, local pregnant and parenting teens will
learn the tools they need to improve their health,
self-esteem and the lives of their children.

"Pre- and post-tests will be conducted to
assess the effectiveness of the program," says
Ziegler. "An increase of physical activity
as well an increase of healthy food intake is the
ultimate goal. We are trying to teach these women
how they can make a positive change in their lifestyle
habits."

For more information, please contact the College
Relations Office at 610-740-3790.